A forensic unit is usually located in a "state hospital". Depending on the state, it is where patient is sent by the court to "serve their time" for any number of crimes from stealing to murder. The idea is to provide treatment rather than punishment. Unlike a civil commitment, the patient will often not be released once stable. For example, if they have been sentenced to 200 years for murdering several people, stable or not, on the forensic unit they shall sit. Again this varies by state but I hope it answers your question.

Nov 12, '09

Is it just me or do these numbers sound unsafe? Sadly the ratios at both my jobs are similar. I guess its just the way it is?

Nov 12, '09

Yeah they do sound unsafe, that is why I asked before about the night ratios (so I could compare to what I get). I'll throw mine in -

my unit is 25 beds acute adult. We have 2 nurses (RN/LPN) and 2 techs for day or evening. 1 RN and 2 techs on nights. We get extra techs if there are pts on a higher level of observation. Well...we usually get extra techs. It also depends on how many pts are on the higher level. If its only 1 pt, then possibly no extra tech.

These sound pretty nice. Mine is 18 beds 2 nurses 2 techs days/evenings and 1 nurse 2 techs overnight. We are supposed to get more techs for 1:1s etc. but that rarely happens.

Nov 26, '09

During day shift each floor gets 2 or 3 nurses (usually one LPN), 2 MHAs (nurse aides) for the floor, and then more MHAs for 1:1s. At night there might only be one nurse and some of the 1:1s will be doubled up with 1 MHA. This is for 19-30 patients - it fluctuates a lot. A busy floor is likely to get more MHAs before they get more nurses.
I don't feel necessarily feel unsafe, but that's only because there are 5 other floors full of MHAs that will come running if we have a code.